Our last Arts class-- and ---Visiting the Mayan Ruins in Copan

The last Art Class and JKD- Martial Arts Class

Thursday, December 17th- Brian and I are so happy that we have been blessed with the opportunity to serve the children of the city of Tegus through the Arts. This was unexpected, because when you think of serving- it’s not necessarily something you will enjoy so much. But God planned an absolutely perfect fit because I was able to teach art and Brian was able to teach JKD and the children were able to leave the city to come to our home and enjoy the suburbs once a week.

We planned a lunch for the JKD class and celebrated a birthday for a boy named Jason with cake, gifts, and treats for the art class. We had a total of 18 kids at our home!

It was great to be surrounded with such laughter and joy, and to share in the experience the gift of art that God has given us all as a means of expression and creation. Next we will have an art exhibit in El Centro, the center of Tegus city where the Micah house is, so that the art class can invite their family and friends to be encouraged by their beautiful art creations. So much was learned through the months that we held these classes. Most importantly- that each of us has a story, and when we share that story through the arts, we are blessing others with our individuality and inspiration. The children took with them the light of self expression and community through the arts. I can’t wait for the exhibition!

Visiting the Mayan Ruins in Copan, Honduras

Our friend Darwin drove us nearly 8 hours to Copan to visit the ancient Mayan ruins in Copan. We began our morning early! At 6am we drove off and made several stops along the way. Darwin took us to breakfast at a great spot on route through Gracias, and to lunch with some friends in a charming town called Santa Rosa. We stayed overnight in downtown of Copan at a hotel and woke early again to finish our journey to the ancient Mayan ruins. Along the way, there was a lot of construction and the road curved and swirled around the mountains. Layers of lush green land exposed sights of farm land and small homes. It is common to see homes built near construction sights because people use any material from the construction sights to build their homes. They also use electricity from the street lights and water near the streams and rivers. Homes are also built near to the farms in which people work on. We saw children selling fireworks, farmers selling honey and coffee, and beautiful farms that harvest tomatoes, corn, milk, eggs, chickens, fish, and more.

We were so happy to finally arrive at the ruins! Olivia watched a lot of DVD’s along the way and got sick on me once –eww. We had breakfast and walked into the park that held secrets of the Mayan past.

Mayans had some of the most incredible strategies in creating irrigation systems, draining systems, and built their cities on top of each other. Beneath each city is the previous city and the layers of ruins tell the story of each royal family.

Olivia loved the large field of grass and was amazed by the beautiful wild birds that we had close contact with.

After our journey through the ruins and the museum, we took our trip back home.We stopped at a place and had fresh Talapia fish for lunch and then continued ---a total of nearly 10 hours in the car! Thank you Darwin for taking this trip with us, and drinving in the rain!

A mini vacation in Roatan!

Our friends Massimo and Mabel invited us to their home in Roatan, a small island of Honduras known for its vast reef and diving. The second largest reef in the world.

Brian and I accepted knowing that Olivia would have a chance to play with Massimo and Mabel’s one year old twins! We would all also enjoy swimming, resting, and being in the nature of the island, which is a wonderful break from the busy city of Tegus.

We took a small “puddle jumper” plane and arrived on the island excited for some sun and fun!

We were so blessed to stay in such a beautiful home, near the sea, with a pool and beauty surrounding us. Olivia loved the twins, Gabriel and Armanda. They all played together, ate together, swam together, and harassed the adorable doggies that Olivia could not get enough of.

Brian and I were so blessed with delicious typical Honduran foods. I even had a chance to learn how to make baleadas! First tortillas, then beans, then cheese- add plantains or chicken if you wish and enjoy!!

Mabel and Massimo took us to Parrot beach and the babies swam in the clear turquoise waters that extended out into the beautiful sea.

 As a family, we rested and enjoyed visiting the coast. We also spent some time on the West End and West Bay beaches which were also great for swimming.

Beyond the beauty of the island, there are still many parts that are very poor and underdeveloped. People live near the water and in difficult situations. We pray for more awarness of the island, and more visitors to come, so that more jobs will be created and a better life for the people of Roatan can become a reality.

Just as any great time, the days creep by slowly and then before you know it, you are packing once again! Olivia adjusted to the island life just as we did- and even had island fever! For real! She had a fever for about two days of the 6 that we stayed, but recovered quickly and was never to sick to play, eat, or enjoy the beauty!

It was time for us to say our good byes, as we were now rejuvenated through and through.

We thank our friends so much for the time we spent, together and the playful days that the beautiful babies all shared.

If ever you have the chance, visit Roatan of Honduras! It is nearly just 2 hours from Miami and very beautiful.

Ahhhh. Back to the city we go!

Olivia's 1st Birthday Party!

Olivia’s 1st Birthday Party!

Getting Olivia ready for her big day was so much fun! She was like my little princess and I realized that I would do anything for her. She has grown so much and it seems so fast, and is a little person with ideas, opinions, and preferences. She is such a joy, and I can see her personality developing each day.

To get ready for the party, Daddy cleaned and prepared the yard and home. I baked Olivia’s cakes, decorated, and stuffed the butterfly piñata. Olivia was kissing and hugging the piñata, which later on she was very upset to see beat and destroyed!

Olivia’s friends are kids she knows from Church and Mommy group. We had a big group and the kids had fun blowing bubbles, making Olivia birthday cards, and running around from the sugar high!

Our food was a collaborative effort. Thanks to Ali, Rocio, Suigualpa, and Dena, we had a great spread. The best treat was the home made Horchiata from Suigualpa. Yumm!

When it was time to break the piñata, Olivia broke down. She was in love with her butterfly piñata! The kids just about all had a turn at 10 pow pows each, when the candy poured out like rain. The kids went nuts stuffing their bags with candy! I’ve decided that each year we should have a piñata! It makes the party.

After every one left, Olivia opened her gifts. She was so excited to play with the bows and boxes! She loved her gifts too. P.S. Olivia's birthday dress was from our Lory and George! Thank you!

We were missing everyone in the USA, but here we had such a great birthday, and it is one that we will never forget. Thanks to everyone who made it so special.